Congressman says TikTok backed out of a meeting to avoid child safety questions

<figure> <img alt="An illustration of the TikTok logo in front of the Capitol" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="Image: Cath Virginia / The Verge, Getty Images" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/STK051_TIKTOKBAN2_CVirginia_A.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=0,0,100,100" /> <figcaption> </figcaption> </figure> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">TikTok backed out of a congressional committee's "public roundtable" set for this month over concerns it would be asked about child safety practices, the chair of the committee <a href="https://chinaselectcommittee.house.gov/media/press-releases/tiktok-breaks-commitment-to-publicly-answer-questions-on-its-algorithm-s-ties-to-china">said</a>.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">After negotiating "in good faith" to bring TikTok's chief security officer before the House Select Committee on China to answer questions about Chinese government access to Americans' data and the TikTok algorithm, Chair John Moolenaar (R-MI) said in a statement Thursday that the company reversed course. "Now, TikTok is refusing to appear citing its own desire to avoid broader scrutiny of its child safety practices," Moolenaar wrote. TikTok did not immediately …</p> <p><a href="https://www.theverge.com/policy/989769/tiktok-house-committee-china-kids-online-safety">Read the full story at The Verge.</a></p>